Who said that American entrepreneurialism was down and out? An 11-year-old darling, by the name of Maya Penn, is making a name for herself through her hip and eco-friendly brand of accessories called Maya’s Ideas. The Canton, Georgia native is raking in future college tuition money as the CEO and owner of her own online boutique.
Since launching the shop through Etsy.com at the tender age of eight years old, the now 7th grader has received orders for her colorful scarves and headbands from around the country, and has even been featured in Forbes Magazine. The precocious pre-teen was profiled in the bi-weekly business publication’s list of “Sixteen Grade School Entrepreneurs.” “I learned a lot of life lessons, like perseverance, from this,” Penn told Forbes.
Not showing any signs of corporate greed, Penn has learned the power and purpose of giving to the less fortunate. She donates at least 10 percent of her profits to charities in and around the city of Atlanta. “I like making people happy through my items,” Penn told Atlanta’s Fox 5 News. “But some people might now have the money to purchase my items, so I like to help other people and make them happy through donating.”
What are some ways we all can support the growing entrepreneurial spirit in our young?
